At its annual meeting, the National Asphalt Pavement Association (NAPA) presented the 2025 Operational Excellence Awards, honoring leadership and innovation among asphalt producers nationwide.
"NAPA members redefine excellence far beyond crafting superior asphalt pavements," said Pat Nelson, 2025 NAPA chairman. "The Operational Excellence Awards celebrate a company's resolute commitment to transformative practices that position them as exemplary contractors, influential industry leaders, and vital community partners."
The Operational Excellence Awards honor leaders in the asphalt pavement industry for excellence in three categories.
The Environmental Leadership Award is the pinnacle award for United States asphalt sites, according to NAPA. To select a winner, peers review sites already recognized with a Diamond Achievement Sustainable Commendation, examining site appearance along with environmental and social stewardship.
The 2025 Environmental Leadership Award winner is Payne & Dolan Inc., a Walbec Group Co., of Waukesha, Wis., for its control 20 — Waukesha asphalt plant.
The Community Involvement Award recognizes outstanding programs in community relations. This award is based on a company's complete community relations program. Employee participation is weighted heavily.
The 2025 Community Involvement Award winners and finalists are:
• Callanan Industries Inc., a CRH Co., of Albany, N.Y., for Callanan Cares;
• Lehman-Roberts/Memphis Stone & Gravel of Memphis, Tenn., for its Community Engagement program;
• Reed Family Companies of Modesto, Calif., for its Community Involvement program;
• Ajax Paving Industries of Florida LLC, of Venice, Fla., for Ajax Paving's Pave It Forward; and
• Sully-Miller Contracting Co. of Brea, Calif., for Sully-Miller Days of Caring.
The Asphalt Operations Safety Innovations Award recognizes safety practices that are above and beyond normal safety practices. Innovations can be invented for specialized use or adapted from other industries. The 2025 Safety Innovations Award winners are:
• Gallagher Asphalt of Thorton, Ill., for its personal protective equipment (PPE) pictograms; and
• Kokosing Materials Inc. of Fredericktown, Ohio, for its Confined Space hands-on training simulator.
NAPA's Operational Excellence Awards celebrate member companies that go above and beyond industry standards. Winners are recognized at the annual meeting and in various communications, including industry publications and local news outlets. NAPA members are invited to apply beginning in August.
For more information, visit AsphaltPavement.org
